It is fundamental to monitor, evaluate and report the state of sustainability at local level, to better implement sustainable development principles and practices. Local sustainability reports should be communicated in an... [ view full abstract ]
It is fundamental to monitor, evaluate and report the state of sustainability at local level, to better implement sustainable development principles and practices. Local sustainability reports should be communicated in an understandable and accessible way for stakeholders, and be supported with its involvement and participation. Despite several initiatives that refer public engagement in sustainability reports, from national to corporate levels, usually the reports are published through the traditional platforms (paper and internet) and participatory approaches are restricted to consultations of stakeholders during the reporting development process. These initiatives do not explore the role that could be played by the physical territory to publish and communicate sustainability reports to local stakeholders. The aim of this research is to develop a framework to support spatial interactive sustainability reports, where stakeholders’ involvement will effectively contribute to the (i) planning and conceptualization, (ii) implementation and communication, (iii) operation and action, (iv) follow-up updating and reviewing. The proposed model supports the collaborative development and implementation of an interactive local sustainability report that is presented in the local territorial sustainability hotspots. Different thematic indicators of a sustainability report are physically presented along the local territory, according to the relevant thematic environmental and socioeconomic issues and/or human activity of a certain spatial area. For each set of indicators presented, associated measures of action to be implemented by local stakeholders are similarly presented and proposed, as well as an interactive open board and box to collect stakeholder’s suggestions of measures to respond to the sustainability issue covered in that spatial hotspot. The proposed approach was assessed and tested in the Manglaralto Community, located in the Peninsula de Santa Elena, Ecuador. This study showed the importance of a spatial interactive sustainability reporting process, involving local stakeholders. It is concluded that this methodology allows a better understanding of each indicator by the local community and how it could respond to their concerns, aspirations and challenges. It should also help the local decision makers to communicate sustainability data, and receive stakeholders support for the implementation of suitable actions and practices
Key-words: sustainability reporting, spatial interactive, indicators, local communities, stakeholder’s engagement
